CLEVELAND, OH (May 24, 2013) - Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing workplace law firms, is pleased to announce Avery M. Chenin has joined the firm’s Cleveland office as Of Counsel. Mr. Chenin brings to Jackson Lewis over 20 years of experience in the employee benefits field.
Cleveland office Managing Partner James M. Stone said, “We are thrilled to welcome Avery to our team, and to gain such an impressive employee benefits counselor. I am sure his extensive experience will prove to be a significant asset to our clients throughout the region.”
Mr. Chenin’s practice centers on the general practice of benefits law, including providing advice regarding the planning, development, implementation and amendment of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), 401(k) plans, defined benefit pension plans, 403(b) plans, executive compensation plans, equity incentive plans, and the disposition of benefits plans and resolution of benefits issues in corporate transactions and restructurings.
Notwithstanding his generalist experience, his significant experience regarding ESOP design and implementation and related transactions, representing sponsors in both the Sub C and Sub S contexts, advising institutional fiduciaries in tender offers, valuation issues, and in representing lenders will enhance the presence of the firm’s rapidly growing national ESOP practice in the Central Region of the country.
“Avery is a welcome addition to our practice group,” added David R. Johanson, a nationally recognized ESOP/ERISA attorney who heads the ESOP transactional and compliance team and the fiduciary/U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) defense litigation team from the firm’s Los Angeles and Napa, California offices. “He is a sophisticated, knowledgeable attorney who will contribute greatly to our ability to serve national and regional clients with complex employee benefits, ERISA and ESOP transaction, compliance, and litigation needs.”
Jackson Lewis has built a rapidly growing team that defends ERISA fiduciary litigation, ESOP valuation class actions, DOL fiduciary enforcement proceedings and suits, and other complex fiduciary and benefit matters. Mr. Chenin will bring his experience and depth of practice to Jackson Lewis’ already strong ERISA practice group.
Because Mr. Chenin previously served as legal adviser for the retirement plan services division of two national banks, he has significant experience in representing institutional fiduciaries and investment advisers regarding plans covered by ERISA.
He has also provided benefits counseling to several Fortune 500 companies, various other publicly and privately held companies, health service organizations and tax-exempt entities.
Mr. Chenin is a member of the Cleveland Chapter of the Worldwide Employee Benefits Network and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Ohio. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and is co-president of the Parent Association for Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Mr. Chenin received his B.S. and J.D. from Case Western Reserve University.
The Cleveland office can be reached by calling (216) 750-0404.
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About Jackson Lewis
Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis, dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law, is one of the fastest growing workplace law firms in the U.S., with 750 attorneys practicing in 52 locations nationwide. We have a wide-range of specialized practice areas, including: Affirmative Action and OFCCP Planning and Counseling; Disability, Leave and Health Management; Employee Benefits Counseling and Litigation; Immigration; Labor, including Preventive Practices; General Employment Litigation, including Class Actions, Complex Litigation and e-Discovery; Non-Competes and Protection Against Unfair Competition; Wage and Hour Compliance; Workplace Safety and Health and Corporate Diversity Counseling. In addition, Jackson Lewis provides advice nationally in other workplace law areas, including: Reductions in Force, WARN Act; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management; International Employment Issues; Management Education; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Public Sector Representation; Government Relations; Collegiate and Professional Sports; and Privacy, Social Media and Information Management.
For the 11th consecutive year, Jackson Lewis has been recognized for delivering client service excellence to the world’s largest corporations, once again earning a spot on the BTI Client Service A-Team. Jackson Lewis has also been recognized by in-house counsel in a comprehensive survey by BTI Consulting Group as both a “Powerhouse” and “Standout” in employment litigation. In addition, Jackson Lewis is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms,” and is recognized by Chambers and Legal 500. As an “AmLaw 100” firm, Jackson Lewis has one of the most active employment litigation practices in the United States, with a current caseload of over 6,500 litigations and approximately 415 class actions. And finally, Jackson Lewis is a charter member of L & E Global Employers’ Counsel Worldwide, an alliance currently of 15 workplace law firms in 15 countries.
For more information, please contact:
Lara Hamm, Public Relations Manager
T: (703) 483-8373
Email: hamml@jacksonlewis.com